ight with the, more
particularly as she could testify that he had done the same thing
before, in the Island of Elba, and was even in the practice of paying
her flying visits at Monte Argentaro. Nevertheless, Raoul felt a strong
reluctance to have Ghita again brought before the court. With the
jealous sensitiveness of true love, he was averse to subjecting its
object to the gaze and comments of the rude of his own sex; then he knew
his power over the feelings of the girl, and had too much sensibility
not to enter into all the considerations that might influence a man on a
point so delicate; and he could not relish the idea of publicly laying
bare feelings that he wished to be as sacred to others as they were
to himself.

"Can you prove what you have just averred, Raoul Yvard?" demanded the
Judge Advocate.

"Monsieur--I fear it will not be in my power. There is one--but--I much
fear it will not be in my power--unless, indeed, I am permitted to
examine my companion; he who has already been before you."

"You mean Ithuel Bolt, I presume. He has not yet been regularly before
us, but you can produce him or any other witness; the court reserving to
itself the right to decide afterward on the merits of the testimony."

"Then, Monsieur, I could wish to have Etoo-ell here."

The necessary directions were given, and Ithuel soon stood in the
presence of his judges. The oath was tendered, and Ithuel took it like a
man who had done such things before.

"Your name is Ithuel Bolt?" commenced the Judge Advocate.

"So they call me on board this ship--but if I am to be a witness, let me
swear freely; I don't wish to have words put into my mouth, or idees
chained to me with iron."

As this was said, Ithuel raised his arms and exhibited his handcuffs,
which the master-at-arms had refused to remove, and the officers of the
court had overlooked. A reproachful glance from Cuffe and a whisper from
Yelverton disposed of the difficulty--Ithuel was released.

"Now I can answer more conscientiously," continued the witness, grinning
sardonically; "when iron is eating into the flesh, a man is apt to swear
to what he thinks will be most agreeable to his masters. Go on, 'squire,
if you have anything to say."

"You appear to be an Englishman."

"Do I? Then I appear to be what I am not. I'm a native of the Granite
State, in North America. My fathers went to that region in times long
gone by to uphold their religious idees. The whole country